Acireale Flower Festival
The floral floats and Baroque spring of Acireale
About Flower Festival
Acireale's blooming spring
Every spring, the city of Acireale, a Baroque jewel overlooking the Ionian Sea in the province of Catania, transforms into a vast open-air garden. The Flower Festival is the spring counterpart to the grand Acireale Carnival tradition: the same master paper-mâché artists and florists who bring the famous Acireale Carnival to life create floral floats, authentic moving masterpieces composed of thousands of fresh petals depicting famous figures and allegorical scenes.
Floral floats: a symbol of Acireale's identity
The heart of the event lies in the parades of floral floats along the Baroque circuit of the historic center, framed by churches, palaces, and squares that are part of the late Sicilian Baroque heritage. The floats parade accompanied by majorettes, flag-wavers, folk groups, and street artists, creating an immersive journey of color and scent that involves the entire community. A highly anticipated highlight is the Live Flower Show, where the floats take shape live, petal by petal, before the eyes of the public.
Four days of celebration
The festival spans four days packed with events:
- Exhibitions, markets, and masterclasses dedicated to flowers, local crafts, and regional flavors;
- The May Day Concert in Piazza Duomo, the event's centerpiece featuring live music all day long;
- Opera dei Pupi performances, the ancient tradition of Sicilian puppet theater;
- Exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography, bonsai, and suiseki;
- Widespread floral installations decorating the streets and squares of the center.
Acireale, city of Baroque and Carnival
Acireale is famous throughout Sicily for its Carnival, considered one of the island's finest, and for its historic center rich in Baroque churches and palaces. The Flower Festival brings the same artisanal mastery to the spring season, offering visitors the chance to discover the city in a milder climate, amidst the scent of flowers and the energy of the parades. The event is promoted by the Acireale Carnival Foundation, in collaboration with the Municipality of Acireale and the Sicilian Region.
Flower Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Acireale Flower Festival takes place from April 30 to May 3, with a program that weaves together tradition, floral art, and entertainment. Four days transform the Baroque center into a festive garden, featuring floral floats, live music, and widespread floral installations.
Programme Flower Festival 2026
Thursday, April 30 — Opening
The festival kicks off with exhibitions, markets, entertainment, and the "Sapori in Fiore" masterclass with Sicilian chefs (Leonardi, Caliri, Sardo, Gambuzza, Failla).
Friday, May 1 — The May Day Concert
- Throughout the day, in Piazza Duomo, the great May Day Concert featuring bands selected from the Rumori Barocchi contest: Vigo, Linbaud, Musigatti, Brigantini, Lautari, Sirah, I Beddi.
- 8:00 PM — "Infiorata live" in Piazza Indirizzo: live creation of floral compositions before the public.
Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 — Floral float parades
- Parades of floral floats along the historic circuit, accompanied by majorettes, flag-wavers, folk groups, and street performers.
- "Street artists… on the street": juggling and acrobatics through the city center.
- Opera dei Pupi show (Saturday, May 2).
- Exhibitions of painting, sculpture, and photography; bonsai and suiseki displays.
The detailed program with full schedules is published on the official website of the Acireale Carnival Foundation.
Highlights Flower Festival 2026
Prices Flower Festival 2026
Practical information — Flower Festival
How to get there
Acireale is located along the Ionian coast, about 15 km north of Catania. By car, it can be reached via the A18 Messina-Catania motorway (Acireale exit). By train, the Acireale station is served by the Messina-Catania-Syracuse line. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, approximately 25 km away.
Where it takes place
Events animate the historic center: Piazza Duomo, the streets of the Baroque circuit, and the city squares. The floral float parades follow the historic circuit.
Tickets
Most outdoor events, including the parades and the May Day concert in Piazza Duomo, are free to access. For details on any ticketed events, it is advisable to consult the official website of the Acireale Carnival Foundation.
Tips
During the festival, the center is closed to traffic: we recommend arriving early and parking in the peripheral areas. The Acireale spring is mild, but a light jacket is useful for the evening.
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Where does it take place — Flower Festival
Centro storico di Acireale
Piazza Duomo, 95024 Acireale